A new study revealed an early warning sign of dementia in older folks: sleep disturbances. The study, published in the Neurology jounral, “older adults with sleep-related daytime dysfunction are at increased risk” of developing MCR, or motor cognitive risk syndrome (associated with dementia).
However, Dr. Tara Spires-Jones, a professor of neurodegeneration, told CNN Health that the study has deficiencies. “The sleep measurements were self-reported, not measured by a scientist, and these self-reports could be biased by people with memory issues,” Spires-Jones told CNN.
Early Warning Signs
Lack of sleep isn’t the only warning sign for dementia. Dr. Paula Trzepacz, MD, adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine, joined Drew Mariani to discuss aging and memory. Dementia, Trzepacz said, “starts very subtly unless you have a major stroke.”
Often, early warning signs are behavioral in nature. “The person may lose insight and may not understand or be aware that they’re having difficulties,” said Trzepacz. “They might have a change in personality like getting more obsessive compulsive.”
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, Trzepacz explained. The beginning stages of Alzheimer’s include, “getting lost in familiar places, not remembering things, and maybe not being able to do some of the more sophisticated, what we call instrumental activities of daily living.” The disease is also associated with some “psychotic symptoms like hallucinations…or paranoia.”
As of 2021, “more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Preventative Measures
There are several risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s including, “not exercising and being overweight,” Trzepacz said. She recommends walking, “aerobic exercise” and doing brain exercises like puzzles.
Education can also help prevent Alzheimer’s, Trzepacz noted. “The more years of education you have, the more cognitive reserve you have.” Those years help to create more “neuronal connections;” so, even if someone were to lose neurons, they still have a solid reserve of them.
Catholic Church
Throughout his pontificate Pope Francis, has spoken about the to care and respect the elderly. At one of his general audiences, the Holy Father urged parents to bring their children close to the elderly. “And when the elderly person is ill, a bit out of their mind, always bring them closer: let them know that this is our flesh, that this is what has made it possible for us to be here,” the Pontiff said. He went on to say that the elderly are the “honor of our civilization.”
More Information
For more information about Alzheimer’s and dementia, Trzepacz recommends the Alzheimer’s Association.
To listen to the conversation, click here.
